Q&A for How to Feed Budgies

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What is the best food to feed my budgie?
    Hayley Heartfield
    Bird Specialist
    Hayley Heartfield is a Bird Specialist and the Owner of About Birds, a Pet Bird Shop in Montgomery County, Texas. Hayley specializes in pet bird care, behavior, training, and breeding. Hayley studied Animal Science at Texas A&M. About Birds carries many species of birds and offers grooming and boarding services as well as bird care products.
    Bird Specialist
    Expert Answer
    I usually recommend a high quality seed diet with things like dried fruits and vegetables in the mix. A pellet diet is also usually great, as they are well balanced. Also, it's always good to offer fresh fruits and vegetables as often as you can.
  • Question
    Can budgies eat maize?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes, but it is a high calorie food and not particularly nutritious, so it should only be included as part of a balanced diet. Give a variety of seeds, nuts, fresh fruit, and vegetables so that your budgie has a healthy nutritious diet.
  • Question
    How often can you give a budgie fruit and vegetables?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    It's fine to offer a small amount of fruit and vegetables every day, in addition to nuts, seeds, and grains. Remember to make sure that everything is fresh, so remove food before it spoils and replace it. Offer a variety of food so the bird doesn't eat too much of one particular nutrient. If you do this, their diet will always be balanced.
  • Question
    Is vegetable oil safe for budgies?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    You should not need to give your budgie vegetable oil. Vegetable oil is safe, but it is high calorie and may strip out some fat-soluble vitamins from the bird's diet. It is sometimes used as a home remedy for scaly feet when applied to legs. If the bird grooms the oil off, he should not come to harm.
  • Question
    Is it okay for a budgie to eat jam?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    No. Jam is too high in sugar and not suitable for birds. Feeding jam could lead to the birds' becoming overweight or developing health problems. If you are uncertain what to feed them, a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if it occurs naturally in nature. If it doesn't, cross it off the list (bearing in mind also that just because a food is natural doesn't mean it's suitable for budgies to eat.)
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article